Demolition at Cockenzie today
Culture Crawl
Ethical Investment conference
Edinburgh Direct Aid need your help today!
#ZooSleepOut raises £24,000 for homeless charities
Are you going to Cockenzie today (or some vantage point nearby!) to watch the demolition at 12 noon? Then you must be aware that there are no official vantage points. Scottish Power appear to have taken over Cockenzie House for the day for corporate jolliness and it is anyone’s guess how many people will want to witness the demolition of the iconic chimneys and turbine hall on the north side of Edinburgh Road. Some roads round about will be closed.
The structures are almost the same age as the Forth Road Bridge. We visited Port Seton to have a last look at the chimneys which so dominate the immediate area and the distant skyline.
Important info ahead of the #Cockenzie power station demolition this Saturday http://t.co/oqHc33jV2o #Lothian pic.twitter.com/Fiu2UhFtsO
— ScottishPower (@ScottishPower) September 21, 2015
A last look around #Cockenzie before the iconic 149m chimneys and turbine hall are demolished tomorrow https://t.co/ugixS2Bguy #ChimDem — ScottishPower (@ScottishPower) September 25, 2015
Road closures and traffic restrictions via @ELCouncil ahead of the #Cockenzie demolition tomorrow – Please plan ahead pic.twitter.com/63vH4Kj62b
— ScottishPower (@ScottishPower) September 25, 2015
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Maggie’s Culture Crawl started from Fettes College last night when Alexander McCall-Smith fired the starting gun.
Part night-walk, part cultural adventure Maggie’s Culture Crawl Edinburgh, sponsored by Brodies LLP, is inspired by the architectural design and programme of support so integral to Maggie’s, as walkers get the chance to explore Edinburgh discovering cultural, architectural and artistic delights along the way.
The event was curated by author Alexander McCall Smith who has written a special short story to celebrate the route around the capital
He said: “Edinburgh is one of the world’s great cities, much loved by visitors and residents alike. Maggie’s Culture Crawl provides an enjoyable and unusual way of seeing some of the city’s well known landmarks, as well as providing access to some of its best kept secrets. It is particularly pleasing that this will also help raise funds for Maggie’s Edinburgh, which continues to provide much needed support for those affected by cancer.”
The event took in 10 miles of the city with exclusive access to a number of landmarks including Parliament Hall, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Dovecot Studios before finishing at Maggie’s Edinburgh and meanwhile raising as much money as possible for Maggie’s Edinburgh to continue to support people with cancer and their family and friends.
Photos courtesy of Bill Fleming
info@billflemingphotography.com
mobile: 07836 632 704
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One of the world’s top green investment experts is addressing a free conference on developing an ethical approach to money in Edinburgh next week. Tessa Tennant, who is regarded as one of the pioneers in the field of sustainable investment, is the keynote speaker at the ‘Good Money Week’ conference on Saturday 3 October 2015.
More information here.
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Can you spare an hour or two today to help Edinburgh Direct Aid move some donated goods so that they can fill even more containers of aid to send to the Lebanon? They would really appreciate it if you can.
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So I survived the Zoo Sleep Out on Thursday night. It wasn’t only the cold, the damp and the wild animals I had to dodge though – some people just don’t know when to calm down and go to sleep! There was Grant Stott and Susan Morrison winding the participants in the fundraising event up to fever pitch, and then they left!
I picked a spot away from all the other sleepers and settled down for what was a remarkably okay sleep……
Then the piper arrived at 6am to waken everyone up for a porridge breakfast to set us on our way for the day. Everyone that is except a pair of revellers who had rather overdone the partying and were still in the middle of the lawn at 7:00 when I was leaving……!
The important message was that homeless people can get real help from two Edinburgh-based charities who offer different types of services. Heather Arni Chief Executive of Four Square who stayed for the sleep out (and who looked remarkably fresh after a night under the stars!) was delighted with the fundraising efforts which will make a huge difference to her organisation. She said: “We hope that the people who slept out understand that because of the amazing amount of money raised, some of our young people won’t have to go through other nights like that. The Sleep Out participants have contributed to the provision of vital services which will help young people to overcome homelessness and build better futures. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all of those involved.”
Edinburgh’s Lord and Lady Provost were joined by 126 local fundraisers and together they raised £24,340 and counting for Edinburgh homeless causes to be split between the Rock Trust and Four Square.
The sleep out took place outside next to the popular Penguins and Lemur Walkthroughs. Featuring talks with charity workers, some of the city’s youngest rough sleepers, participants were moved by stories of teenagers living without a home.
The brainchild of Edinburgh’s Lady Provost Elaine Brand, the event was the first of its kind for the Zoo. She said: “I’m overwhelmed by Edinburgh’s fundraising efforts. So many people got behind the event and raised vital funds for charity.
“Homelessness in Edinburgh remains a pressing issue and while nobody can truly experience the struggle of sleeping rough based on one night in the cold, everyone who took part will take away the knowledge of just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”
The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “I’m so glad that together, we were able to make a difference. Our sleepover at the Zoo was certainly a challenge and leaves you feeling so thankful to have a warm bed with a roof over your head to go home to.
“That is something some of Edinburgh’s young people wouldn’t have without the efforts of the Rock Trust and Four Square. These charities are hugely important for Edinburgh’s struggling young people who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.”
You can still show your support for these great charities on social media #ZooSleepOut and by making a donation: www.virginmoneygiving.com/SleepOutAtEdinburghZoo
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
